Testy exchanges set tone at Syrian talks

By DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS

Posted: January 23, 2014 at 5:26 a.m.

GARY CAMERON
Credit: AP
At a news conference Wednesday in Montreux, Switzerland, Secretary of State John Kerry said it was unthinkable that Syrian President Bashar Assad would have a role in a transitional government.

Friction and acrimony broke out almost immediately Wednesday at the start of a long-delayed peace conference on Syria, casting doubt on the prospects for easing hostilities or even opening up emergency aid corridors to help besieged civilians.